Elon Musk’s Mail-In Voting Controversy: Criticisms Clash with Personal History
Staff Editor Elon Musk’s Voting Record at Odds with Public Stance on Mail-In Ballots
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of mail-in voting, but records show he has personally used this method at least twice in California. According to NBC News, Musk voted by mail in both the November 2016 presidential election and the November 2018 midterm election.
These instances represent the only known times Musk has voted in California during his 18 years of eligibility. The Tesla CEO has since relocated to Texas, where reports suggest his voting participation remains low.
Musk’s public statements on mail-in voting have been unequivocal. He has called the practice “insane” and a potential gateway to fraud. In July, he shared a tweet suggesting the 2024 election would be “the most rigged in history” due to mail-in ballots. In a recent email to NBC, Musk reiterated his stance, describing mail-in voting as an invitation to fraud.
This position aligns with Musk’s apparent political shift to the right in recent years, including his endorsement of Donald Trump in July. Since January, Musk has echoed claims made by Trump regarding mail-in voting fraud.
However, Musk’s stance seems at odds with actions taken by his pro-Trump super PAC, America PAC. The organization has actively encouraged mail-in voting, sending mailers to Wisconsin voters with QR codes to apply for absentee ballots. This approach suggests the PAC recognizes mail-in voting as a legitimate method to increase voter turnout.
The discrepancy between Musk’s public statements, personal voting record, and his PAC’s actions has raised questions about the consistency of his position on voting methods. As the 2024 election approaches, the debate over mail-in voting is likely to remain a contentious issue in American politics.
